Petawatt is 1000000000000000 watt units.
Petawatts to Megawatts Converter — PW to MW
Convert Petawatt (PW) to Megawatt (MW) using the exact conversion factor (1 petawatt = 1,000,000,000 megawatt). See the formula, worked examples, and conversion table.
Petawatts to Megawatts converter
Converter
Engineering Converter
Convert common stress, force, torque, power, and energy units used in engineering.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
Megawatt is 1000000 watt units.
Result = input x 1e+15 / 1e+6.
Power units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Petawatts to Megawatts
Petawatt and Megawatt both measure a quantity used in structural or mechanical engineering — commonly stress, pressure, force, torque, power, or energy — where converting between the unit conventions used in different regions, industries, or equipment specifications is a routine part of design work. Specifically: Petawatt is 1000000000000000 watt units, and megawatt is 1000000 watt units.
Formula
megawatts = petawatts × 1000000000
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 petawatt equals 1e+15 base units, and 1 megawatt equals 1000000 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct petawatt-to-megawatt factor of 1000000000.
Simple example
1 PW × 1000000000 = 1,000,000,000 MW
1 petawatt = 1,000,000,000 megawatts.
Real-world example
100 PW × 1000000000 = 100,000,000,000 MW
100 petawatts = 100,000,000,000 megawatts.
Conversion table
| Petawatt (PW) | Megawatt (MW) |
|---|---|
| 1 PW | 1,000,000,000 MW |
| 10 PW | 10,000,000,000 MW |
| 50 PW | 50,000,000,000 MW |
| 100 PW | 100,000,000,000 MW |
| 500 PW | 500,000,000,000 MW |
| 1,000 PW | 1e+12 MW |
Reverse conversion: Megawatt to Petawatt
1 MW × 1e-9 = 1e-9 PW
1 megawatt = 1e-9 petawatts.
petawatts = megawatts × 1e-9
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Megawatt to Petawatt.
Understanding the Petawatt (PW)
Petawatt is 1000000000000000 watt units.
Understanding the Megawatt (MW)
Megawatt is 1000000 watt units.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many megawatts are in 1 petawatt?
1 petawatt equals 1,000,000,000 megawatts, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert petawatt to megawatt?
Multiply the petawatt value by 1000000000. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert megawatt back to petawatt?
Use the reverse factor: 1 megawatt equals 1e-9 petawatts. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a petawatt?
Petawatt (PW) is a unit of engineering.
What is a megawatt?
Megawatt (MW) is a unit of engineering.
Is the petawatt to megawatt conversion exact?
Yes. Both petawatt and megawatt are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 1000000000 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.
Why do engineering unit conventions vary so much by region and industry?
Pressure, force, and stress can be expressed in metric (pascal, newton), US customary (psi, pound-force), or older and industry-specific units (atmosphere, torr, kip) depending on the country, industry, and even the equipment manufacturer, which is why engineers routinely need to convert between them when working across specs from different sources.